Philippines' COVID-19 cases top 399,000 with 1,347 new infections

The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines rose to 399,749 on Tuesday after the Department of Health (DOH) announced 1,347 new infections as eight laboratories failed to submit reports on time.

Cavite tallied the highest number of newly reported cases at 92, followed by Manila City with 77, Quezon City with 58, Baguio City with 55, and Laguna with 52.

Meanwhile, recoveries rose to 361,919 after 187 more patients recovered from the respiratory illness.

The death toll also climbed to 7,661 with 14 new fatalities.

“Moreover, nine cases previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths,” the DOH added.

The remaining 30,169 are active cases undergoing treatment or quarantine, 83 percent of which are mild, 9.4 percent are asymptomatic, 2.7 percent are severe, and 4.8 percent are in critical condition.

As the holiday season approaches, the DOH issued guidelines for Christmas celebrations amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año also suggested a shift to online caroling after some local governments banned caroling in the streets over the holidays. —LDF, GMA News